5 fleet management trends to watch in 2023

2023 looks to be a big year for fleet managers as innovations in the tech industry continue to push boundaries and challenge norms.

We're not talking about creepy robots and roads of driverless cars… yet. But we are seeing areas where the technology is adding value to the industry and providing genuine solutions to common fleet management problems. 

From powerful third-party fleet management software to onboard video technology, electric vehicles and even driverless cars, the industry is advancing at a rapid pace.

These aren't just (ahem) fleeting trends, but industry-defining changes that are set to radically improve the efficiency of your fleet and your business.

So what should we expect in 2023? Let's take a look at some key areas.

Artificial intelligence

One of the logistical challenges presented by a fleet is the collection and analysis of data. With so much information streaming in at any one time, it takes a lot of brute-force computing to wade through all that data.

AI technology promises to unburden outdated systems of data flow (humans…) and provide businesses with instant feedback and insight into their fleet's status and performance. 

AI learning is improving each year. Cloud brains are getting smarter and their potential applications even broader. Many third-party fleet management solutions are now driven by AI, delivering real-time data so you never miss a beat.

So what can these clever robots do? They won't be making tea in the office (that's still Andy's job), but they will perform a variety of crucial services that will save time and money and increase the viability and safety of your fleet. These include:

• Tracking vehicles and their performance
• Monitoring driver behaviour 
• Optimising delivery routes
• Collecting and interpreting large telematic data sets
• Reducing costs by improving efficiency
• Optimising onboard video by flagging hazardous or unwanted driving events

One day we may be living in a world of driverless cars but, until then, think of AI as your eyes on the street, helping you make preemptive and informed business decisions. 

Electric cars

Do sheep dream of electric cars? No. But if they could dream, they might (along with healthy green pastures and the odd nightmare about sheers). That's because electric vehicles (EVs) are an environmentally friendly alternative to fuel-based transport. And their benefits don't stop there.

For fleet management, they offer some cost-effective incentives too, especially as fuel prices continue to rise. EV sales are increasing – and are predicted to make up almost half of global car sales by 2030, according to the Electric Vehicle Outlook 2021 report. With increased sales, EVs will soon be cheaper and offer a genuine, cost-effective alternative to fuel. 

The electric revolution is not just a lifestyle choice for consumers, as there's growing industry support for EVs as they become more widely available. EVs were highlighted as an important factor in the government's net-zero target for 2050, so watch this space!

There are still some logistical hurdles when swapping to an electric fleet. Charging an EV remains slower than refuelling a normal motor, presenting more operational challenges. But with improvements in EV telematics and AI, these operational hazards may one day be fleet management legends. 

Predictive vehicle maintenance

Remember the film The Minority Report? Well, in the world of fleet management, we have our "Precrime" equivalent – predictive vehicle maintenance. 

However, instead of predicting crimes, predictive vehicle maintenance uses smart AI telematics to identify and predict when a vehicle in your fleet will need maintenance. 

The implications of this technology for fleet managers are huge. They include:

• Optimised vehicle allocation and fleet utilisation: optimise your fleet and allocate "healthy" vehicles.
• Increased fleet longevity: give your fleet a long life through preemptive maintenance.
• Reduced costs: save money by identifying problems before they get worse.
• Increased safety for drivers: make sure drivers are informed of potential risks and improve the safety of your fleet.

Taking advantage of the 5G network

Vehicle tracking is a priority for any business managing its fleet. Location services are an essential part of smooth day-to-day operations, but – let's be honest – they could be better. 

That's where 5G comes in. Although 5G technology was making the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2020, it promises to add speed, precision and improved visibility for fleet managers in 2023. 

A faster network empowers other third-party technologies, meaning your fleet management systems will operate more efficiently, improving productivity and communication across all areas of business. 

However, not all software integrations will support 5G as the technology faced numerous interruptions to its roll-out (likely due to its bad press). That said, more and more software will start integrating with 5G as time goes on. 

Onboard cameras and improved safety

In 2023, dashcams will become an even more important technology for fleet managers looking to improve driver safety and reduce accidents.

You'll be familiar with the inclusion of dashcams on police cars, which are used as evidence in court and double up as Sunday night entertainment. But with the support of AI, on-board cameras will provide more than just reels of footage for shows like Police Camera Action! 

With built-in sensors and intelligent recognition, "smart dashcams" can detect incidents and send alerts in real-time – cutting out hours of sifting through footage. 

Assisted by AI learning, these sensors adapt and learn about the environment the more they're driven around, increasing accuracy and improving the quality of their data. In the industry, this is known as "video telematics". 

Businesses can use the footage to avoid insurance premiums and nullify fraudulent claims as well as providing the basis for instructional lessons for their drivers.

Talking of well-managed fleets… are you looking for affordable commercial vehicle hire in the northeast? Why not browse our fleet or get in touch with our friendly and professional team (of humans)? We'd love to hear from you!